Possible Nissan OEM clutch system issue - Everyone Read

DIGItonium

It just dawned to me the 1st gear thud/clunk, lurching, rattling, and getting locked out at redline is nothing new. The 350Z had these issues. The notchiness is very similar, but I was still able to get in and out of gear in the 350Z. It didn't like fast shifts, which I hardly do for daily driving.

I'm not too peeved by the 1st gear lurching unless it's directly responsible for issues getting in and out of gear (seriously like shifting without using the clutch) whether moving or from standstill. It comes and goes, which is what's driving me nuts. When I had trouble getting out of 1st, I pumped the clutched a few times without any luck. I had to use more muscle to get it into neutral.

Juddering is still there, but it is not as frequent compared to the notchiness. When it comes back, it's like an earthquake. It judders a tiny bit everytime I get it moving in 1st.

I checked the fluids... still max level.

Anybody take it in for adjustments, bleed, etc. yet?

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NYBladeZ

I too get the issue of sometimes not being able to go into 1st when I want. I usually go into 2nd no problem. As stated on the first page I think its something Nissan did intentionally to keep you from going into to low a gear. I know the e46 M3 had a similar design, at certain speeds gates would close to prevent engine damage.

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2009 Carbon Fiber/Red 370z aka Trish: Sports Package, Meisterschaft full catback, Fast Intentions Longtube Headers, Injen Long Tube Intakes, UpRev Tune: Sold
2008 Lotus Exige S Club Racer aka Bella, always leaves me smiling

LafitteZ

My anniversary has the lurching and lock outs every down shift from 6th to fifth and second to first. Im on the second tranny because it grinded like crazy from first to second on the first one. I havnt had a great experience with these trannys. The clutch slave cylinder is garbage and they locate it inside the tranny bell so it makes it a nightmare to work on for your average joe. i put TT and a stage one clutch and my pedal is stuck to the floor and had to be towed home with 13000 miles on the car and only 700 miles on the new clutch. CSC NISSA FAILLLLLL!!!! Tranny seems to be very reliable for your everyday casual driving but if you drive them a little harder they become loud and very hard to shift. There is after market fixes tho and after you do them the car usually is trouble free but then again why the hell we need to spend 40000 to have to spend extra money on after market. well it is what it is. Still worth buying zs in my opinion. My zspeed slave should be here and done by next week ill keep you guys up to date on how it feels

NYBladeZ

its not full carbon fiber, its carbon composite whatever that means.

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2009 Carbon Fiber/Red 370z aka Trish: Sports Package, Meisterschaft full catback, Fast Intentions Longtube Headers, Injen Long Tube Intakes, UpRev Tune: Sold
2008 Lotus Exige S Club Racer aka Bella, always leaves me smiling

butdamnbrian

^maybe we're both right?

check under "drivetrain"

2011 Nissan 370Z Coupe | Vehicle Specs | Nissan USA

in any event, is that what causes the drivetrain whine at high rpm?

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chops

i definitely get this slight lurch when engaging first. leads me to slip the clutch a second longer to avoid it :\

however i've never had any problems getting into gear

DIGItonium

Just as an update for you guys in regards to the more than usual effort required to shift gears. There were a couple of things. Over the weekend the shift effort seem to have improved.

A quick check underneath the car revealed the rubber boot that covers the bottom end of the shifter that connects to the linkage was ripped off. Somehow the boot snagged, which may have been the reason for the difficulty getting in and out of gear.

Next up was to bleed the clutch fluid, and there were some air bubbles present.

After a whole day of driving, shifting effort is much better with silky smooth engagement. There is a tiny bit of effort getting out of gear from park, but it's nowhere near as bad as before. Therefore, no more clunking... hopefully all goes well from here on out.

Lastly, if nothing works out, check the shift plate and have it realigned.

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chii370

Never had this issue...... But New issue this is my issue, reinforcing the idea that this clutch/tranny setup is not up to par for tye car its in, they skimped where it counts..... Such a shame.

DIGItonium

Welps... the slight notchiness came back, so I might have them bleed and realign the shift plate when the car returns to service.

I tend to park the car in gear. I notice it's intermittently difficult to get out of gear when the car is parked on a sloped driveway. What give?

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esfourteen

my stock clutch is back in for now with the upgraded CSC and flywheel, car drives normal again and has had no issues getting into 1st and no lurching. Only thing i can assume is the clutch disc was dragging/not releasing all the way. We'll see what southbend has to say.

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DIGItonium

Interesting. It's pretty unfortunate that other than this slight nagging issue that comes and goes, it's pretty nice 85% of the time.

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ScGRaceR

have the lurch. 16k nismo. bolt on car....

scratched 2nd the first time the other night..... car and everyyhing was at op temp.

this drivetrain is ruining this car for me

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RCZ

I'm glad I started this thread, I knew I couldnt be the only one feeling this way.

B.A.Q

I drove my friends 11' GT yesterday damn ours suck. good thing it can holds power!!

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SOLD!! 09 370z Touring MT: GReddy Ti-C CBE - Berk HFC - Stillen 3G CAI
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FromG2Z

Sadly this is also what ultimately pushed me over the edge to get rid of her and get a 5.0. I thought our z trannies were SUPPOSED to be this way. Then I go test drive a 5.0, per everyone's recommendations. And voila. I thought to myself so THAT'S how transmissions SHOULD be. It was tight, quiet, and refined. And the clutch was fantastic. I didn't realize how bad our trannies were till I drove other cars.

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